How to build a Range Hood

In the case of the range hood, I knew what I didn’t want: I was completely sure I didn’t want a microwave in its place (for me, the main cook in this household, a microwave up there is just too high), I didn’t want a recirculating unit (I just hate don’t like them). What I wanted was something like this, but without their big price tag:

*This post contains affiliate links for your convinience.*Ohh so many years had passed for me wanting to tackle this project. Every time I cooked, especially something “fishy” and your whole house stinks :( Finally the time arrived!

It was a pleasure for me to get rid of that old re-circulating hood. I think they should be banned. The cabinet on top of the range was also removed.

I knew the new system had to be duct air outside, but the prices for what I wanted were plain and simple out of my budget. So, here it is how I went:

Price was important but also efficiency and look. After reading many reviews, we kind of settled on two models of Range Hood Inserts (that’s what they are called when you are going to provide a cover for it): The Broan 103023 and The Broan PM390.

When I got the product, I set to work on the cover following a project presented in the Family Handyman Magazine Feb/10 issue by one of its readers: Mr. Tom Pollard. Here are his pictures:

I was and still am so grateful of him for posting his project! At that time I couldn't find something better that I could relate to. Thank you, again.

I began building something like a “box or drawer” that would fit the liner pretty well, and strong enough to hold the exhaust system.
The sides were built out of pine, the big plate out of plywood.

You can see the rough sketch indicating the pieces I needed. Notice that the dimensions at the back and front are slightly different to build it to my exact specifications.

The inside opening and how high to install it was determined by following the instructions from the manufacturer.

It was screwed to the wall studs and to the cabinets on each side (front frame). The sides panels (not shown), were cut and installed securing them to the side of the cabinets and to the back wall.

Here is the sketch of what the final hood had to look like:

I couldn’t run the vent pipe to the outside through that back wall because on the other side of that wall is my dining room. The only way to run the duct pipes to the outside was by fitting it up to the top, and connecting an elbow to go on top of the cabinets and to the outside on the left.

For this model the required 6” round metal duct was easy to find at most home centers, but the wall cap had to be ordered online.

The opening on the wall was made, the wall cap was installed, and the ductwork joints were sealed with duct tape until connected to the exhaust system. My husband helped me a lot in these entire hood step. He installed an electrical outlet right behind the enclosure because this system had to be grounded. This is how it looked at the end of the day:

After sanding pretty well the rough edges it was ready for trim, primer and paint.

This is how it looks today:

The range hood was finished! :) The next project:

After almost five years of living with this range hood, I gave it a little makeover.

I can't tell you how informative this has been...many thanks. After many years of relying on my very, very handy husband (we are currently fighting a battle for his life) I know that in spite of my limitations Rheumatoid Arthritis, I can tackle anything...this included. Thank you for the inspiration!!!!!

This is exactly what I wanted to know these days.Very helpful. Reading and reading again all the projects you've done. You're amazing and inspiring many of us who want-to-be DIYers. Could you possibly -if you have a moment-explain more details about making a hole for duct and installing the wall cap? Is this also doable job for anyone or need to hire someone professional? Thank you so much.

The easiest way would be if you can open the hole right behind the system or up to the roof! The way to open the hole depends on what material your exterior walls are made of? My exterior walls are covered with aluminum siding. I began cutting (with a drywal knife) a 6" diameter circle, inside, in the kitchen; cut through the drywall until I reached the siding. I made a mark right in the center, so then, I went out and with the marked center I had, I drew the 6" circle on the siding to be cut, here I used a jig saw. Make sure the wall cap fits nicely before installing it. Then put plenty of Silicone on the parts of the wall cap that are going to be in contact with the wall. You can pick a color of silicone that matches your exterior wall. Finally you can screw it in place! Remember, before cutting anything make sure and, doble sure that no studs are in your way!

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Johnny, First let me tell you I'm a rookie at building stuff like this one. I did it, it worked and that's why I wrote about it. I didn't bother about angles (that was way out of my league!).The bottom pan was installed, then the sides were installed, knowing that at the top they had to be 11½" and at the bottom 18½". With the side panels in place I measured and cut the front. Straight cuts! There's a very small gap at the top and bottom but that was covered later on with the moldings.

OH, THANK YOU for posting this! I absolutely hate the un-ducted range hood we have. The filter & fan are on a 30° angle down toward the back wall, so that any grease particulates gather and run down onto my newly-installed stone backsplash (that I worked so hard on!), and have stained the top 3 inches of the SEALED grout, under the fan. (There was another article in Family Handyman about how to clean grease marks off of grout, but I have to wait until the hood is replaced before I bother doing that. Love that magazine - it's the only one I subscribe to!) I am doing this!

The insert and the liner are Broan products but I bought them through AMAZON : http://www.amazon.com/Broan-PM390-Power-Insert-Silver/dp/B000R9CFL6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378308876&sr=8-1&keywords=broan+range+hood+insert

The dark brown part is MDF. I also use MDF to cover the open space above the cabinets, it's a great surface to be painted.

Thank you! I'm currently down to the studs in part of my kitchen, having taken the wall out between kit ans DR. Love this range hood! Did you just make the box the size of the area available, between your cabinets?

Thanks, Wow, you're in the middle of it all! Yes, I made the box to fit the available area, the same size as the cabinet that was holding the old re-circulating hood. Hey you're a no-reply I cannot reply directly to your e-mail address.

Cristina, Your site has inspired me in so many ways. I know this is an old post of yours - I have had it "Pinned" for a long time - but we are in the midst of putting in a whole new kitchen ourselves, and I am getting ready to build a range hood cover similar to yours. Now that I'm ready to build I have a question: I am trying to understand why you put a "top" on the pine part of the frame, that holds the liner in place? It seems to be very sturdy, itself, and it comes with screws to attach it to the pine box that surrounds it. We have it assembled, with the blower in place, and it is supporting it very well. Is it absolutely necessary to support it with plywood, too, or was this just an extra precaution on your part? I haven't been over to Family Handyman, yet, so maybe this is the way that man did his? Thanks for your help.

Thanks Laura! That box, especially the plywood, is what holds the exhaust system. I didn't think the liner was strong enough. Maybe they're selling stronger liners nowadays, or perhaps it was, as you said, an extra precaution on my part because yeah, the liner has screws to attach it to the pine box. Better safe than sorry. ;) The family Handyman article I mentioned doesn't have much explanations, just the two pictures I included here. I would love to see pics of your kitchen re-do.

Christina, this is a great post...and my wife is thrilled to do this in our kitchen! Quick question, how did you attach the side boards to the top (12" part)? Also, what size of boards did you use? Thanks in advance!

Ooops sorry for the late response! The sides are only attached to the cabinets on each side. They're not attached to the top board. For how I installed that top board you gotta check the link of how to cover the space above the kitchen cabinets. The side boards are ½" MDF.

Oh, thank you, that was my same question. We're doing this project now - you've inspired us! We will be covering the top of the cabinets as well and I wondered if we had to have something to attach the top to before we completed this part. I hope you don't mind if I borrow LIBERALLY from your design. Am giving you full credit and links on my blog at 7yearswitchhome.com. You are literally my current hero.

One question on the hood - did you miter the sides of the hood and front to make them fit together so gorgeously, or did you use 90 degree angles and fill them somehow? My husband said making a miter cut that long will be difficult.

Oh hi Janessa, I just read this and your previous comment. I'll be stopping by your blog in a minute to see your work. ;) No, I didn't miter the sides of the hood, the whole thing is at an angle and that's totally out of my league! Those were all butt joins that were sanded a lot to smooth out the finish on the sides. There's a pic of the hood in this post: https://goo.gl/XqUaag, where you can see how the sides look.

Thank you so much Cristina! I can’t believe those are butt joints, they look so CLEAN. My husband started on the range hood this weekend and I was holding your blog open in Lowe’s looking at trim. (I hate to be a copycat but on the other hand why mess with perfection?!) So grateful for your blog!

Thanks Monique! Yes, I'm happy with it. It does the job that's supposed to do, but it's nothing fancy. It's somewhat noisy, especially on the highest settings, however, I've gotten used to it and I hardly ever use those highest settings.